Statoil chooses Kongsberg EmPower for Hywind Demo

Mon, May 09, 2016 08:15 CET

Statoil has been awarded a grant from ENOVA to test the condition monitoring capabilities of the Kongsberg EmPower system for the floating wind turbine Hywind Demo. Statoil will monitor the condition of the turbine using the EmPower system, and evaluate its functionality to discover early signs of fault, and calculate remaining lifetime for main components. This will contribute to a reduction of maintenance costs and downtime caused by unforeseen faults and maintenance need for offshore wind turbines.

"Installation of Kongsberg EmPower at Statoil’s Hywind Demo is an important milestone for us. Hywind Demo is the first floating wind turbine installed in the world. The information from Kongsberg EmPower will enable Statoil to better plan maintenance activities ahead, which is especially critical offshore with highly varying weather conditions. Improved prediction and planning of maintenance potentially entails a substantial cost reduction” says Kristian Holm, President of Kongsberg Renewables Technology.

Kongsberg EmPower is a turbine independent decision support system based on KONGSBERG's broad experience on automation and decision support systems for the defence and maritime sectors as well as offshore oil and gas. Installation of the system for the Hywind Demo will be conducted during spring 2016.

Hywind Demo – the World’s first full-scale floating wind turbineIn 2009 Statoil invested in the research, development, construction and installation of the Hywind Demo turbine. The turbine was set into operation in 2010.

“Kongsberg EmPower can potentially increase efficiency further by predicting maintenance needs and thereby reducing potential downtime. It will also improve maintenance planning and through this, give more flexible and efficient maintenance operations. We look forward to testing the technology”, says Sverre Trollnes of Statoil, Head of Wind Operations.

“Through the first years of testing, the Hywind concept has been verified, performing beyond expectations. The Hywind concept has few operational challenges, excellent production output, and well-functioning technical systems. This opens new renewable energy business opportunities, utilizing offshore areas for clean energy production,” says Stephen Bull of Statoil, Senior Vice President Wind and CCS.

"Enova invested in the Hywind-Demo in 2007 and we are very happy to take part in this project as well. When this technology succeeds, there will be potential for an increase in the energy production from the Hywind-Demo, as well as other wind farms in the future, "says Nils Kristian Nakstad, CEO of Enova.

KONGSBERG (OSE-ticker: KOG) is an international, knowledge-based group delivering high technology systems and solutions to clients within the oil and gas industry, merchant marine, defence and aerospace. KONGSBERG has 7 700 employees located in more than 25 countries and total revenues of NOK 17.0 billion in 2015. Follow us on Twitter: @kongsbergasa.